more symptoms when ill with something else

[pinda]

I'm undx but probable. Just saw Neuro for 6 month check and I was the best since starting all this in June 2003. Was beginning to think maybe not MS because walking close to normal for a month and not much need of a stick. Still does not say anything but neurological and looks to be slow progressing. He would be very surprised if it started to progress more quickly and no need to look at medication, which may help but could damage. I'm for that after reading all that the drugs do. At least so far I am. This last week I came down with a bug and been very ill and symptoms have come on strong. My balance worse, walking problems and knee collapse back, prickly and burning sensation on back, back of arms, around to front of waist and on my head has increased, etc. All these had decreased somewhat for the first time in March. Would someone with MS have this decrease after so long, nearly 2 years? Do the symptoms you have come back with a vengence when ill with something else? Do you seem to be sicker than others? My husband has just become ill and seems more like a bad cold. I've been very well except for the MS like stuff so this is new. The MS stuff is enough but when I did not have a lot of them I got something else. Posses questions for me about what I do have. Just wanted to ask to see if someone has any answers or been through the same. Was thinking I could stop worrying about MS being my problem when this happened. Seems we do not know enough about Neurological problems. People ask what my problem is and I say "Neurological". They do not know what to say and seems to end discussion. I'm an Artist and every so often that tiny voice gets in asking "what will you do if it progresses"? I usually push that away and try to do what I can when I can. Enough. Linda

[HarryZ]

Linda,

Often, people with MS don't do well when they become ill, especially if a fever is involved. A fever will raise the body temperature and increased heat in an MS patient can really cause some problems. This situation has been known to bring on symptoms and perhaps even an exacerbation.

Harry

[amelia]

Yes, my husband had an attack after having the flu. Everybody is different, but his tends to be brought on mainly with long term infections and injury. Such as had a sinus infection and had a bought with Optic Neuritis. BUT, if they suspect MS with you, you really need to look at some type of treatment or therapy. Also, very wise to have MRI's to see what is going on inside. You may be very well on the outside and have very bad lesions on the brain or spinal cord. In other words, just because you are doing okay on the outside, doesn't mean that the MS has gone to sleep on the inside.

[pinda]

Thank you for the feed back. I'm some what better from what ever bug I had but very tired and not walking as well as I was before it hit. Hope this improves, was enjoying being able to walk more than 15 min. again before my legs gave out. In answer to MRI's. I have had one of my spine and two of my head. Nothing on the spine and two lesions on head with no change 6 months later. Spinal was negative too. The lesions could be a factor of age, 57, not enough information to say MS. Neuro says neurological but not sure what, will see him again in 6 months. A lot of sensory things going on with overactive relfexes, balance problems, walking problems, etc. so, who knows. I'll try not to get sick again, worst I have felt in a long time and still somewhat with me after 10 days. The sun is out and spring in the air, always helps to hear the birds and squirrels. Thanks again, Linda

[amelia]

Just don't put all your faith in MRI's. Gary, my husband, has 5 lesions on the brain, old ones and he has had MS we know of for 25 yrs. He wasn't diagnosised for over 10 years of that. He is very noticable as to having something wrong with him. I don't know what else neurological causes over active reflexes, but I know it is a symptom of MS. PM me if you have any questions. I'll be glad to talk to you.

[deehammer]

Linda,
I have had all of those symptoms and I have been dxed for 4 years with ms. Although I have more lesions than you. My first spinal was negative and then they did one when I was having an exacerbation, at the begining of one, and it was positive. My doc said that you have to get the spinal at just the right time, crazy huh. I also know of a person who was dxed with ms and had no lesions, but her spinal was positive. Not saying you have ms. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya.
Dena